According to Mitch, on CNN this morning:
I think this is a good case of selective outrage. I remember reading about Sen. Robert Byrd when he was the Senate Majority Leader flying to Moscow during the negotiations over the Salt II treaty explaining to the Russians the Senate’s role in treaty ratification, and John Kerry when he was a senator flew to Managua there and met with a communist dictator, Daniel Ortega, and accused the Reagan administration of engaging in terrorism. So look, members of Congress expressing themselves about important matters, not only at home, but around the world is not unprecedented. So the main point here that I think everybody needs to understand is the president is about to make a very bad deal. He clearly doesn’t want Congress involved in it at all, and we’re worried about it. We don’t think he ought to make a bad deal with one of the worst regimes in the world.”
Except
Byrd's Moscow trip was described as "laying groundwork" for improved relations. Byrd himself said his delegation was there “to promote the cause of peace and contribute to a better understanding“ between Moscow and Washington….But he said the Senate wants to work with President Reagan “and we want to try to be helpful in reaching arms-control agreements that will. . . promote peace between these two great countries“
Byrd's delegation was also bipartisan. Yes, Republicans went on that trip too. Remember that Mitch?
As for Kerry's trip, he was on a self-appointed fact finding mission (accompanied by Tom Harkin, D-IA). He wasn't speaking for the Senate. He wasn't threatening to undermine the president. And if you recall, days after meeting with Daniel Ortega and other leaders of the regime — the Sandinistas climbed aboard a plane to Moscow to cement their Soviet ties.
The letter to Iran was not to "strengthen Obama's hand". I mean, really. Since when do the Republicans want to HELP Obama? They've been out to make him look bad since January 2009. And the Senators signing the letter were speaking for the Senate.
Too bad Mitch's attempts at making this out to be "no big deal" are easily refuted. (or should I go Palin and say "they're easily refudiated"?)
Video of Mitch: https://www.youtube.com/...